Two months on from their Bulgarian Cup triumph over the same opposition, Ludogorets came out on top again thanks to goals from new signing Júnior Caiçara, captain Emil Gargorov and Marcelinho.

Caiçara got his new club off to a dream start, opening the scoring in the tenth minute with a neat finish after wonderful movement from Gargorov and a backheel from Marcelinho. The Railwaymen from Plovdiv swiftly equalised, however, courtesy of Dakson's excellent free-kick.

Ludogorets reclaimed the lead two minutes before the break. Marcelinho's long-range effort ricocheted back off the bar to the lurking Gargorov, whose low, angled shot went in via a post. The A PFG champions controlled the second half but had to wait until added time to seal the win, when Marcelinho exploited a defensive error and skilfully lobbed goalkeeper Yordan Gospodinov.

Ivaylo Petev's charges' focus now turns to next Wednesday's UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first leg against GNK Dinamo Zagreb – the club's first game in UEFA competition. Lokomotiv Plovdiv, meanwhile, meet Vitesse in the equivalent stage of the UEFA Europa League on 19 July.

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